Abra, it turned out, didn’t have any more information. She’d suggested they try to stop by the judge’s office themselves. Dannel didn’t like their chances.
“Rolly texted me.” Dannel skimmed through the message while Chris navigated London traffic. “They’ve managed to clear up the footage of who dropped off Wayne’s vehicle.”
“And?”
“It’s not Rolly or Wayne,” Dannel stated what they’d all already known for a fact.
“Then who is it?” Osian twisted around in the front seat to glance back at him. “Can they see who the driver is?”
“Wayne believes it’s one of the security guards—not Edgar Smith, though.” Dannel waited patiently for the rest of his brother’s message. “Apparently, the police pulled CCTV from further down the road. The driver dropped someone off before continuing on.”
“Any idea who the passenger was?” Chris asked before muttering curses when a black cab cut them off.
“Wayne thinks it’s Edgar Smith. The video never shows the person’s face. They walk in the direction of Wayne’s flat, but CCTV never catches them again.” Dannel frowned at his phone. “Why would he be dropped off a distance away then go to the flat anyway?”
“Maybe he didn’t want to be seen re-entering the building? The footage we’ve already seen clearly shows him arriving with Willa, then leaving.” Osian had his own phone out. “Is it possible he found a way inside without being seen?”
“Anything is possible.” Chris punched his horn a few times when he was once again cut off in traffic. “Does no one know how to drive?”
“I wonder if the police will pick up Edgar to ask questions.” Osian ignored Chris’s muttering.
“They might.” Dannel sent a follow-up message to his brother, who responded immediately. “Rolly has no idea. They won’t tell him anything.”
“They’ve no reason to pick him up,” Chris, ever the voice of reason, interjected into their debate. “Leave it with me. I’ve an idea.”
It was early evening when they arrived back at their flat after striking out trying to meet up with the judge. Either of them. Chris dropped them off, promising to let them know if he found anything else out. Despite Osian’s attempts to push him for details, Chris refused to give them anything other than that he planned to visit with old friends.
They found a familiar face waiting for them.
“Haider’s here.” Dannel nudged Osian with his elbow, drawing his attention away from Chris’s vehicle driving off to the detective inspector. “Looks like Ian’s got a captive audience.”
“Not sure who I feel sorry for the most.” Osian chuckled. “Probably Haider. Not sure his training has prepared him for our Ian.”
They watched Ian waving his arms animatedly in the middle of a story. Dannel wondered what had brought Haider out to their flat again. How many times can he tell us to stay out of his investigation?
Is he here to pretend to arrest us as well?
“Let’s save him.” Osian looped his arm around Dannel and walked toward Ian and Haider.
“Who are we saving?” Dannel muttered.
“Darlings!” Ian flourished his scarf in their direction, ignoring how it smacked Haider across the face. “Things are always so delightfully intriguing when you’re around.”
“Are you making a nuisance of yourself?” Dannel felt Osian press his face against his back while tried to hide his laughter. “Careful. He might lock you up.”
“It wouldn’t be the first time a handsome man has placed silver bracelets around my wrists.” Ian blithely disregarded Haider’s sudden coughing fit and Osian’s laughter. “Besides, you should be thanking me. I’ve regaled the detective inspector with your brilliance.”
“Are we supposed to find this comforting? We’re not, right?” Dannel grabbed Osian by the wrist and forced him to stop hiding. “A little help.”
“What?” Osian breathed out a few times before he was able to reel in his laughter. “Sorry. Detective Inspector Khan. Were you waiting for us? Or hoping for a sugar daddy?”
“Ossie.” Dannel shoved his giggling fiancé.
“Or sugar granddaddy? Is that a thing?”
“He’s missed his evening snack. We’ll be going upstairs now.” Dannel caught Osian by the wrist to lead him into their building. “You’re welcome to join us, Haider. Bye, Ian.”
“Haider’s going to kill us.” Osian snickered.
“Pretty sure it’s against the law,” Haider offered from behind them. “How can I keep you out of trouble if I’m in prison for killing you?”
“Fair point. Want tea or coffee?” Osian unlocked the door and waited for both Dannel and Haider to enter before following himself. “Or beer? Pretty sure we have a few bottles.”
“I’m going to… shower.” Dannel dropped his backpack by the door and fled down the hall into the bedroom.
Falling onto the bed, Dannel stared up at their ceiling. He’d gotten wrapped up in the drama with Osian being almost run over and the argument with Edgar. And as a result, he’d missed the signs of an impending shutdown.
He wanted his headphones. The ones left in the living room in his backpack. It seemed far away.
Very far away.
Oceans and deserts away.
Am I being hyperbolic?
“Brought you snacks.” Osian gently opened the bedroom door. He placed Dannel’s headphones on the bed along with a couple of crisp packets. “I’ll figure out what Haider wants.”
Acknowledging Osian with a thumbs up, Dannel reached out to grab his headphones. He shoved them on and quickly switched on the noise cancelling. Blissful silence. It swirled around him, effectively shutting out the little sounds filling their flat.
He selected one of the packets of crisps. Walkers Prawn Cocktail. Snacks and a nap? It wouldn’t solve all his problems, but it couldn’t hurt.
His mind refused to settle. Dannel pondered over the details they knew for certain of the night Barnaby Sharrow died. Not that there were many.
Why does it feel like we’ve missed something?
What’ve we missed?
Or maybe it’s who have we missed?